Pra<I>s</I>na III, Adhyâya 1

PRASNA III, ADHYÂYA 1.

Now, therefore, (we will speak) of those who desire (to fulfil) the duties of Sâlînas (dwellers in houses), Yâyâvaras (wanderers), and Kakrakaras (circle-goers), who subsist by nine (different) means of livelihood.

2. The term livelihood' (vritti) is used because they subsist thereby (tadvartanât).

3. The word Sâlîna (is used) because they dwell in houses (sâlâ).

4. To be a Yâyâvara (means that one) goes on by means of a most excellent livelihood (vrittyâ varayâ yâti).

5. The term Kakrakara is derived from going by turns (to the houses of rich men). ⁵

6. We will explain those (above-mentioned means of livelihood) in their proper order.

7. They are nine, (viz.) Shannivartanî, Kauddâli, Dhruvâ, Samprakshâlanî, Samûhâ, Pâlanî, Siloñkhâ, Kapotâ, and Siddhoñkhâ. ⁷

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8. (In addition) to these there is a tenth way of living, viz. forest-life.

9. (If he desires to adopt) any of the nine ways of living,

10. He causes the hair of his head, his beard, the hair on his body, and his nails to be cut, and besides gets ready (the following objects),

11. (Viz.) the skin of a black antelope, a water-pot, a staff, a yoke for carrying burdens, (and) a sickle. ¹¹

12. He desires to go forth, after having offered a Traidhâtavîya (offering) or a Vaisvânarî (ishti). ¹²

13. Now on the (following) morning, after the sun has risen, he makes the sacred fires burn brightly, melts butter on the Gârhapatya fire, cleanses it (with Kusa grass), heats the (spoons called) Sruk and Sruva, cleans (them), takes out four (spoonfuls of butter) in the Sruk, and offers the Vâstoshpatîya (oblation) in the Âhavanîya fire according to (the rules of his) Sûtra. ¹³

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14. Having recited the Puronuvâkyâ (verse), 'O lord of the dwelling, permit us,' &c., he offers (the oblation) with the Yâgyâ verse, 'O lord of the dwelling, with thy kind company,' &c. ¹⁴

15. Some (declare that) every person who has kindled the sacred fires (shall offer these Homas).

16. Others (say that) a Yâyâvara alone (shall do it).

17. After departing (from his house), he stops at the extremity of the village, or at the extremity of the boundary of the village, builds there a hut or a cottage, and enters that. ¹⁷

18. Let him use the skin of the black antelope and the other (objects) which he has prepared for the several purposes which they are intended to serve.

19. Known (is) the (duty of) serving the fires; known (is) the (duty of) offering the new and full moon sacrifices; known (is) the successive performance of the five Mahâyagñas; it is seen that the vegetables, which have been produced, are offered. ¹⁹

20. He hallows those (vegetables), either (reciting the text),' I offer what is agreeable to all the gods,' or silently, and cooks (them). ²⁰

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21. For such (a man the duty of) teaching, sacrificing for others, accepting gifts, and (performing) other sacrifices (than those mentioned) ceases. ²¹

22. (The use of) sacrificial food fit to be eaten during the performance of a vow is seen;

23. That is as follows: (his food may be) mixed with clarified butter or sour milk, (it must) not (contain) pungent condiments or salt, nor meat, nor (be) stale.

24: (He shall remain) chaste, or approach (his wife) in season.

25. (It is necessary) to have the hair of his head, his beard, the hair on his body, and his nails cut on each Parva day, and the rules of purification (are obligatory on him).

26. Now they quote also (the following verses): 'Two kinds of purification, which the Sishtas reverentially practise, are mentioned in the Veda,--external (purification), which consists in the removal of impure stains and foul smells, and internal (purification), which consists in the abstention from injuring live creatures.'

27. 'The body is purified by water, the understanding by knowledge, the soul of beings by abstention from injuring, (and) the internal organ by truth.' ²⁷

Footnotes

284:5 1. Govinda says that Kakrakara is another name for Yâyâvara, and that anukramakarana, 'going by turns,' means going successively to the houses of Brâhmanas, Kshatriyas, and Vaisyas.

284:7 The terms left untranslated are fully explained in the next p. 285 chapter. All the MSS. read kauntâlî for kauddâlî, which occurs in the commentary alone.

285:11 The vîvadha, 'a yoke for carrying burdens,' consists usually of a bamboo pole, to the ends of which two ropes are attached for fastening the loads. Kuthahârî, 'a sickle,' seems to be the name of a particular kind of sickle, since Govinda explains it by vâsavasâsanadâtram. He adds that the term includes 'a spade' (kuddâla) and other implements.

285:12 The meaning is that on the evening before his departure from the old home he is to offer the Traidhâtavîya-homa. According to the Srauta-sûtras (see the Petersb. Dict. s. v. traidhâtavî) the latter offering always occurs at the end of a great sacrifice. Hence it is appropriate for a person who wishes to begin a new mode of life.

285:13 This is the leave-taking from the old dwelling.

286:14 The two verses occur Taittirîya Samhitâ III, 4, 10, I. It is specially mentioned by Sâyana that the two verses have to be recited by an Agnihotrin on departing from his home.

286:17 Matha, 'a cottage,' is, according to Govinda, a house resting on many posts or pillars, while kutî is the simple shed with four posts and a roof of leaves.

286:19 The last clause, probably, is meant to prescribe a simpler form of the Vaisvadeva.

286:20 Govinda adds that the meaning is that the sacrificer shall eat the boiled rice in silence.

287:21 Govinda adds that the obligation of performing other meritorious deeds, such as digging wells and tanks (pûrta), also ceases.

287:27 Vasishtha III, 60.